Where to Eat in Windsor

Windsor's dining culture is uniquely shaped by its position on the Canada-US border and its strong Italian, Lebanese, and Eastern European immigrant communities. The city is famous for its distinctive Windsor-style pizza featuring canned mushrooms and shredded pepperoni, along with Lake Erie pickerel and whitefish that dominate local menus. This border city's culinary identity blends working-class comfort food traditions with sophisticated international influences, particularly evident along Erie Street East and Wyandotte Street West, where family-run trattorias and Middle Eastern bakeries have operated for generations. Today's dining scene balances these heritage establishments with a growing craft brewery movement and farm-to-table restaurants showcasing Southwestern Ontario produce.

Key Dining Features:
• Erie Street East (Little Italy): This historic district remains Windsor's premier dining destination, lined with Italian restaurants, cafés, and gelaterias where multi-generational families serve homemade pasta and wood-fired pizzas. The street hosts the Carrousel of the Nations festival each summer, transforming into an outdoor Italian village with street-side dining.
• Local Specialties: Beyond Windsor-style pizza, travelers should try Lake Erie pickerel (often served pan-fried or in fish and chips), Lebanese garlic sauce with shawarma from Wyandotte Street's Middle Eastern establishments, and peameal bacon sandwiches. Local bakeries produce authentic Italian biscotti and cannoli, while Detroit-style square pizza has crossed the border and gained popularity.
• Price Ranges: Casual dining typically costs CAD $15-25 per person for mains, mid-range restaurants run CAD $25-40, and upscale establishments charge CAD $40-70 per entrée. A Windsor-style pizza for sharing costs CAD $18-28, while Lake Erie pickerel dinners average CAD $22-32. Craft beer pints range from CAD $7-9.
• Seasonal Dining: Summer brings patio dining culture to life along the riverfront and in Little Italy, with peak outdoor dining from May through September. Fall features Lake Erie fish at its freshest, while winter drives locals to cozy Italian trattorias and Lebanese restaurants. The Windsor-Essex region's wine country (particularly Pelee Island wineries) influences seasonal menus from August through October.
• Border City Advantages: Windsor's proximity to Detroit creates cross-border dining culture where American ingredients and trends quickly influence local menus, while the exchange rate makes dining affordable for US visitors. The riverfront offers unique dining views of the Detroit skyline, particularly along Riverside Drive.

Practical Dining Tips:
• Reservations: Weeknight dining rarely requires reservations except at upscale establishments, but Friday and Saturday evenings fill quickly in Little Italy and along Wyandotte Street West from 6:30-8:30 PM. Call ahead for groups of six or more, particularly at family-run Italian restaurants where seating is limited. Summer patio dining requires advance booking on weekends.
• Payment and Tipping: Most restaurants accept credit cards, though some cash-only establishments remain in Little Italy and among ethnic eateries. Standard tipping is 15-18% before tax, with 20% for exceptional service. Tax (HST) adds 13% to bills